University Relations

South Dakota State University will host the 53rd annual Jackrabbit Stampede Rodeo April 13-15 at the Swiftel Center, east of the Interstate exit off Highway 14.

The rodeo features over 250 college contestants in every event from goat tying to barrel racing to bronc riding. Contestants come from across the Great Plains Region, which is made up of six different states including North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and part of Nebraska.

The Jackrabbit Stampede is one of the largest rodeos in the Great Plains and is also one of the largest college rodeos in the nation, in terms of attendance. Along with having one of the premier college rodeos, SDSU is also home to some of the nation’s top rodeo athletes.

The SDSU men’s rodeo team is ranked 22nd in the nation with the women’s team ranked 24th. Jacque Murray, Isabel, is ranked 10th in the all-around standings and Joe Gunderson, Onida, is ranked fourth in the bareback riding.

Tait Kvistad, Sturgis, is also ranked in the nation, holding the 10th spot, while Murray is also ranked 14th in the breakaway.

For the third year, the SDSU rodeo team will hold an annual horse sale in conjunction with the rodeo to raise money for the rodeo team. Last year’s sale netted $4,000 for the club.

This year’s sale features five horses donated by South Dakota horsemen and women and will be held April 14 with a preview of the sale beginning at 9 a.m. The sale will begin at approximately noon.

The sale features rodeo performance-focused horses from around South Dakota and surrounding states. Their descriptions can be viewed on the web at www.sdsurodeo.org.

For more information on the Jackrabbit Stampede or the horse sale call Terry McCutcheon at 688-5574 or e-mail him at [email protected].